GlaxoSmithKline agrees to $105M settlement

Illinois will receive $5.1 million from a $105 million, multistate settlement with GlaxoSmithKline over the company’s promotion of asthma and antidepressant drugs.

Attorneys general in 45 states, including Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, accused the company of violating consumer-protection laws by misrepresenting proper uses and qualities for Advair, Paxil and Wellbutrin, and for marketing the drugs for “off label” uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Advair is used in treatment of asthma. Paxil and Wellbutrin are antidepressants.

According to the complaint, consumers with mild asthma were steered to Advair, even though significantly cheaper alternatives were available and the FDA did not approve the use.

The company also was accused of promoting Paxil as safe and effective for children and teens, in spite of clinical trials to the contrary.

In addition to marketing to children without FDA approval, according to the complaint, the company marketed Wellbutrin for “off label” uses such as weight loss, addiction, anxiety, attention deficit disorder and bipolar disorder.

“This settlement will put a stop to the illegal marketing practices the company used to boost its sales,” Madigan said in an announcement of the settlement.

The settlement also requires GlaxoSmithKline to continue for five years its “Patient First Program” of reduced incentives to pharmaceutical representatives to encourage sales of certain drugs.